Lower judiciary sees major reshuffle

The government yesterday (November 25) made a big reshuffle in the lower judiciary by appointing 97 new judges, promoting 65 joint district judges and transferring 388 others across the country.

The law ministry issued separate gazette notifications in this regard stating that these appointments, promotions, and transfers have been made in consultation with the Supreme Court.

The 97 new judges have been appointed as assistant judges and judicial magistrates on recommendation from the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission as they qualified for the relevant tests and exams, according to a notification.

Another notification said a total of 65 senior assistant judges have been promoted to the posts of joint district judges.

Besides, 48 joint district judges have been transferred, and seven joint district judges, joint metropolitan judges, and additional chief judicial magistrates have been attached to the law ministry and 333 senior assistant judges and senior judicial magistrates have transferred from their current workplaces, according to other notifications.

When contacted last night, Law Minister Anisul Huq told The Daily Star that the appointment of new judges is a continuous process and the promotions and transfers of judges are routine work for the government.

"I hope the appointment of new judges and promotion and transfer of judges will give the judiciary a boost. Rate of case disposal will be increased, backlogs of cases will reduce, and therefore, justice will be delivered to the people promptly following this initiative," he added.